Shock for 13-year-old netballers as awards night is hijacked by rugby teams and their ‘D--- of the Week’ trophy

A group of Year 8 girls who play netball for Auckland team Silverdale Seahawks were shocked when their end of year awards night on Friday were hijacked, according to one mum.

The team, consisting of 13-year-old girls, were seated at the back of the room in an alcove behind all the other male teams and had only been allowed to have one award on the night.

Shona Grundy, whose daughter is on the team, says it "took me back to the 1970s".

Writing an impassioned post on Facebook to name and shame the Silverdale United Rugby and Sports Club, Shona told people about her shock of the night and it’s “tribal male rituals”.

“What played out tonight, is the dark side of our country. Where a team of female teenagers sat patiently to be recognised as athletes,” she began.

“These amazing, aspiring and to-be-recognised athletes were sidelined by the ol' boys club. Men who preferred to spend the evening recognising their mates over athletes; who's (sic) teams were not limited by the club to 1 award per team (as our Netball team was).”

Ms Grundy went on to reveal the rugby divisions were allowed five awards per team, with one of those being “Players Player”, while another team awarded a "Dick of the Week".

The netball team, which includes five Regional Rep team players ended up splitting the one allotted MVP award between two players, after coach Katie Sylvester couldn’t pick just one player to receive recognition.

However, adding insult to injury, Katie was not invited to present her award on stage, despite the other coaches all saying some words on stage before presenting a gong.

“When it came to presenting our Netball teams award, a man who we had never met or heard of was tasked with reading our Coaches award nomination out,” Ms Grundy says.

“He apparently was in charge of Netball. Though we had never seen him at a game. God forbid a woman get on stage with the microphone to present.”

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Silverdale United Rugby and Sports Club, chairman Dave Wrathall rejects the notion of sexism on the awards night.

"The board totally rejects any allegation of sexism, and quite the reverse advocates strongly for female involvement at all age groups and participation levels," Mr Wrathall told Stuff NZ.

The chairman also noted that the netball team has only been there since 2008, while the rugby teams have been an institution since the 1960s, and have added to their awards over the years.

"Individual club members have donated trophies or memorial trophies have been sponsored for specific achievements," he said.

"Any person is welcome to sponsor additional trophies," he added in reference to the netball teams awards, of which he says there are three overall netball awards at the club.